SEEKING to address the growing need for primary care, the Labor Government has announced a $32M grant program aiming to bolster Victoria’s GP workforce.
Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas announced 800 grants, each worth up to $40,000, to encourage medical graduates to pursue careers in general practice. Delivering on a key election promise, 400 grants are available in 2024, with an additional 400 in 2025 for those entering Victoria’s GP training program.
Eligibility includes medical graduates opting for general practice and doctors commencing training in 2023 who applied and enrolled after November 27, 2022. The grants aim to counter challenges faced by young doctors, such as higher remuneration in other specialties, fostering interest in general practice.
Applicants can apply through the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) or the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) websites after enrolling in GP training programs. The initiative aligns with the government’s commitment to growing the health workforce, recruiting 7,705 healthcare workers, including 3,100 from overseas since 2022.
Acknowledging the critical role GPs play in maintaining community health, Minister Thomas said, “These grants are providing the incentive graduates need to consider a career in general practice and will ensure Victoria has the GP workforce we need both now and into the future.”
The initiative aligns with the government’s commitment to overcoming challenges in accessing GP services, complemented by the establishment of Priority Primary Care Centres, the Victorian Virtual Emergency Department, and the Community Pharmacist Statewide Pilot.
To learn more, visit www.health.vic.gov.au/general-practitioners-grant-program
